Maria assigned the seats at the table, so that she was not obliged to look at Georg.  His place was beside Frau Van Hout and opposite Henrica and the musician.  At first he was silent and embarrassed, but Henrica gave him no rest, and when he had once begun to answer her questions he was soon carried away by her glowing vivacity, and gave free, joyous play to his wit.  Henrica did not remain in his debt, her eyes sparkled, and in the increasing pleasure of trying the power of her intellect against his, she sought to surpass every jest and repartee made by the Junker.  She drank no wine, but was intoxicated by her own flow of language and so completely engrossed Georg’s attention, that he found no time to address a word to the other guests.  If he attempted to do so, she quickly interrupted him and compelled him to turn to her again.  This constraint annoyed the young man; while struggling against it his spirit of wantonness awoke, and he began to irritate Henrica into making unprecedented assertions, which he opposed with equally unwarrantable ones of his own.

Maria sometimes listened to the young lady in surprise, and there was something in Georg’s manner that vexed her.  Peter took little notice of Henrica; he was talking with Van Hout about the letters from the Glippers asking a surrender, three of which had already been brought into the city, of the uncertain disposition of some members of the council and the execution of the captured spy.

Wilhelm, who had scarcely vouchsafed his neighbor an answer, was now following the conversation of the older men and remarked, that he had known the traitor.  He was a tavern-keeper, in whose inn he had once met Herr Matanesse Van Wibisma.

“There we have it,” said Van Hout.  “A note was found in Quatgelat’s pouch, and the writing bore a mysterious resemblance to the baron’s hand.  Quatgelat was to enquire about the quantity of provisions in Leyden.”  “All alike!” exclaimed the burgomaster.  “Unhappily he could have brought tidings only too welcome to Valdez.  Little that is cheering has resulted from the investigation; though the exact amount has not yet been ascertained.”

“We must place it during the next few days in charge of the ladies.”

“Give it to the women?” asked Peter in astonishment.

“Yes, to us!” cried Van Hout’s wife.  “Why should we sit idle, when we might be of use.”

“Give us the work!” exclaimed Maria.  “We are as eager as you, to render the great cause some service.”

“And believe me,” added Frau Van Hout, “we shall find admittance to store-rooms and cellars much more quickly than constables and guards, whom the housewives fear.”

“Women in the service of the city,” said Peter thoughtfully.  “To be honest—­but your proposal shall be considered.—­The young lady is in good spirits today.”

Maria glanced indignantly at Henrica, who had leaned far across the table.  She was showing Georg a ring, and laughingly exclaimed: